Apparatus for manufacturing lock nuts



March 15, 1949. J. w. NEFF APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING LOCK NUTS ll Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct, 9, 1945 ww m ..0 NWT H Z March 15, 1949. J. w. NE'FF APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING LOCK NUTS 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 OOOOOOn Filed Oct. 9, 1945 JOHN W A/EFF ATTORNEYS J. W. NEFF APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING LOCK NUTS M rch 15,1949.

11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001;. 9, 1945 4% 4 QM a 4 f T F N F m E m N. M @Nm 1 v. M Q g N Q J ATTORNEYS March 15', 1949. J. w. NEFF APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING LOCK NUTS 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001;. 9, 1945 F 3 i m. E 7 WW N m WY m J ATTORNEYS March 15, 1949. J. w. NEFF APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING LOCK NUTS ll Sheets-$heet 6 Filed Oct, 9, 1945 INVENTORY d /M/ M NEFF ATTO R N EYS March 15, 1949. J. w. NEFF 2,464,410

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING LOCK NUTS Filed oc't'. 9, 1945 11 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTCR Jaw/v m NEFF BY M W,

'75 A'ri'oRNEYs March 15, 1949. J, w. NEFF APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING" LOCK NUTS 1]; Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Oct. 9, 1945 INVENTO R Jomv n4 /1/EFF. I

' ATTORNEYS J. W. NEFF APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING LOCK NUTS March 15, 1949.

I1 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed 001.. 9, 1 945 NITOR INVE lllll l.|.|ll

ATTORNEYS March 15, 1949. w, NEFF 2,464,410

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING LOCK NUTS Filed Oct. 9, 1945 11 Sheets-Sheet l0 I I I27 1 3 1/6 A 76 15/ 42/ INVENTOR JOHN W ,1/

ATTORNEYS March 15, l949. J. w. NEFF APPARATUS FQR MANUFACTURING LOCK NUTS 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Oct. 9, 1945 m 3% MN MW W A. J M

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Patented Mar. 15, 1 949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING LOCK NUTS John W. Neff, Easton, Pa., assignor to Stover Lock Nut & Machinery Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application October 9, 1945, Serial No. 621,271

26 Claims.

In any event, however, it is suificient so that un-' til the nut on the bolt comes into engagement with the work to beheld, the threads of the nut do not exert any substantial pressure on either the upper or the lower ,sideof theybolt threads, and in consequence vthere is only slight friction and resistance to turning. When the nut becomes tightened againstthework, the upper sides of the threadson the nut contact the lower sides ofthe threadson thebolt with a pressure determined by the force with which the nut is tightened, and the friction resulting, from the pressure between the interengaging'. sides of the threads serves to-hold the nut in its tightened position. r

The objection to this kind of nutis that it is easily loosened, becausewhenever the, pressure between the lower end of the nut and the work is relieved as a result of vibration, wear, or other cause, the pressure'between the inter-engaging sides of the threads is also relieved so that there is no longer sufficient friction to prevent the nut from being slowly backed off the bolt by vibration, shock, or the like.

Many different expedients have been proposed, and some have come into general use, to prevent accidental loosening of tightened nuts.- The wellknown split lockwasher, the use of a separate lock nut and the use of cotter pins through cotter ways formed in the nutand through a hole in the bolt, are probably the most familiar of these expedients. Another proposal is to insert elastic material ina groove specially provided around thethreaded hole of a nut to provide a. locking effect. The effective use of such a nut 2 sections of the nut which maybe deformed to lock with the bolt. Such sections often are slotted in various ways with the idea of enhancing the locking action of the deformed section.

These various prior expedients are subject to the disadvantage that a separate locking piece is required, orto the disadvantage of being ineffec-- tive or only moderately effective, and difficult and expensive to manufacture accurately and in quanstity. For example, proposals to distort the nut over its entire length have been unsuccessful, because nuts so distorted to an effective degree cannot be started on the bolt except with great difi'lcultys Proposals to deform specially provided sections of the bolt have been unsuccessful because'the deformed sections, which commonly are slotted in some manner, do not provide a satisfactory lock and are expensive to manufacture. Another lock nut proposed is one with opposite sides of a blank nut forced toward one another to provide an oval or elliptical opening at the top while maintaining the lower part of the hole of the nut cylindrical or circular. Although such a lock nut was proposed many years ago in British Patent 1003 of 1880, so far as is known it has had no commercial success. If the lock nut is deformed too little, it is worthless. If it is deformed too much, it is not satisfactory because use of the lock nut damages the threads of the nut as well as of the bolt or mating screw, and the desired non-slipping gripping action is not obtained. If the insufficiently deformed lock nut is given additional deformation, there is however no way of telling whether the deformation is too much or too little, except by actual use. Actual use is out of the: question when the lock nuts are made by thethousands and shipped to remote parts for unfailing use.

Investigation confirms my discovery that lock nuts of the proper type and amount of deformation may be consistently reproduced or duplicated andtthat the deformation is sufficient to assure adequate gripping or locking action between the lock nuts and their mating bolts theminor axis pushed toward one another and with the sides of the opening on the major axis pushed away from one another while the bottom of the opening remains substantially circular with a diameter greater than the minor axis and less than the major axis. The width of the top of the opening along the minor axis is reduced by the distortion by an amount equal to thefit tolerance plus 0.001 to 0.010 inch.

In a presently preferred practice, the width of the top of the opening along the minor axis is reduced by the distortion by an amount to produce a friction locking torque of 115 13 to 820 D' on a mating screw within the dimension tolerances of its class of fit; in which Dequalsthe. nominal diameter of the matingscrew-and the result obtained is pound inches of torque.

In accordance with the invention, the appa ratus comprises a pair of spaced and opposed compression members adapted to force opposite sides of a blank nut toward one another in the space between the compression members, an end.- less chain conveyor for the nuts associated with the compression members, and a plurality of:

, sensitivity (variation of friction torque in relation to change in bolt diameter) to bolt diameter and less life (re-use factor). An increase in the depth of squeeze results in greater'sensitivity.

to bolt diameter and greater life. The object is to select a depth of squeeze adapted to yield the least sensitivity with the greatest life. depth of squeeze is less than A; of the bolt diameter, the life of the lock nut is less than its practical limit. If the depth of squeeze is more than /2 of the bolt diameter, the sensitivity of the lock nut is beyond the practical limit. For these reasons, opposite sides of the main body of the blank e p sed on y at the top portion thereof to a depth of /4 to A2, preferably about the nominal diameter of the mating screw or bolt. This is particularly true of nuts ranging, for example, from #8 machine screw to 1" in size.

Lock nuts of the character described may be readily applied to a bolt or mating screw. They may be screwed on part way by hand since the lower part of the nut is substantially undistorted. At this point, the inwardly slanting opposite sides of the threaded opening in the nut come into contact with the bolt threads and as the nut is screwed on further, the bolt threads force the If the These and other advantages of the invention a Fig. 2 is a partial plan view of the loadingend of the mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a sectionalelevational view showing the endless conveyor and part of the drivingmechanism; the view beingytakm onzavtverticalii plane along the line of movement of the nuts as shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of the endless conveyor;

Fig. 5 is an exploded View of a unit of the endless conveyor shOWing a sprocket chain link, a mandrel support and a mandrel with a nut mounted thereon;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view of a small section of the endless conveyor;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View on the:

line 99.of Fig. 8, showing the adjusting mechanism formoving the endless conveyor. and its:; associated parts laterally, the squeeze rolls "in; phantom and part of the adjustingimeohanism:

for moving one of the squeeze rolls laterally;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectionalviewof the man'- drel support,

Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 is a similar sectionalview showing the nut after it has been deformed by the. squeeze.

rolls;

Fig. 12 is a view similar :toFig. llbut showing:

a generally tapered mandrel;

Fig. 131s a plan view of a lock-nut illustraq tive of the invention;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view partlyinseotionil,

Fig. 16 is a side elevation partly in section, showing the lock-nut and a bolt in applied form; Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but-showing the relative relation of the partswhen deforming,

a smaller nut;

' Fig. 18 is a section on the line l8-I8.of; Fig. 1'7, showing the aligningmeohanism for presenting a pairof opposite sides o'fthenut to the.

squeeze rolls;

Fig. 19 is-anexploded view shQWingthe, ed-'- 4 estals, the fixed bearing blocks and themovables bearing blocks forthe drive shafts of. the. squeeze rolls and the-appurtenant parts in the adjustmentmechanism for-moving one of the rolls laterally;

Fig. 20 is a general "plan vieweoi the endless conveyor support andits related parts, they end-1 less conveyor itself being omitted except foritst;

chain sprockets;

Fig. 21 is a side, view, similar to Fig. 1, 0f.-the. endless conveyor support anditsrelated parts. the endless conveyor itself being omitted'exceptfor its chain sprockets,,which are shown in phan ,tom;

Fig. 22is an enlarged elevational View of theknurling device shown; in Figs, 1 and 3;

Fig, 23 isan end view; of the same knurlinga device;

Fig..- 24 is a section on theline 24-44. of Fig."

Fig. 25'is a plan View:c0nfined-to the tensiona control mechanism of the knurling. device;

of Fig-23;

showin a generally, cylindrical I mandrel and a nutmounted thereon, before it. is deformed, similar to the assembly shown in Fig. 26 is asectional view on theline 16-25;

. Fig. 27 is an enlarged elevational view of the adjusting mechanism for moving one of the squeeze rolls laterally, as shown in Figs. 1, 7, 8, 9, 1'7 and 19, and showing more particularly the connecting mechanism with an indicator for showing the amount of lateral movement of the squeeze roll; and

Fig. 28 is a front view of associated mechanism. :Referrin g first to Fig. l, the nutdeforming and knurling apparatus comprises a pair of upright. spaced pedestals 38 and 3| maintained in spaced relationship at their bottom by means of a plurality of channels 32, 33. Th pedestalsin turn support a loading table 34, a casing or cover 35, most of which is shown broken away, an endless conveyor 36, a pair of spaced. and opposed squeeze rolls 3! and 38, a knurling device 39, and the necessary driving mechanism 48 for operating the apparatus. The driving mechanism om prises a motor 45 with a chain sprocket 46 mounted on a shaft 41. An endless sprocket chain 48 is mounted on the sprocket and a larger sprocket 49 mounted on a drive shaft 58. The drive shaft is employed to drive the endless conveyor as well as the squeeze rolls.

Referring next to Figs. 8 and 19, sprocket 49 and drive shaft 58 are supported in fixed bearings5| and 52 suitably mounted on brackets 53 and 54 secured to pedestals 38 and 3|, respectively. A bevel pinion 55 is suitably secured to an intermediate portion of drive shaft 58, the bevel pinion meshing with a bevel gear 56 integrally mounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft 51. The shaft extends upwardly through a collar 58, a lower fixed bearing block 59 provided with a lower bearing hub 68, and an upper bearing hub 6|, squeeze roll 38, upper fixed bearing block 62 provided with a lower bearing hub 63 and an upper bearing hub 64, and a spur gear 65 integrally secured to the upper end. An end plate 66 is bolted to the ends of lower fixed bearing block 59 and upper fixed bearing block 62. Spur gear 65 meshes with a companion spur gear I8 integrally secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft II. This shaft extends successively through an anti-friction washer 12, an. upper laterally sliding bearing block I3, provided with four (4) guide bars I3, as shown, extending through a complementary slot I4 in upper fixed bearing block 62, squeeze roll 31, a lower laterally sliding bearing block 15, provided with guide bars I5, as shown, extending through a complementary slot I6 in lower fixed bearing block 59.

The arrangement shown permits a variable space-88 between-squeeze rolls 3! and 38. The apparatus is so designed that the space may be varied to accommodate nuts of various sizes. To this end, upper fixed bearing block 62 is provided at its end with a lateral opening 8| accommothe indicator and its dating a draw nut 82. The draw nut, as shown in Fig. 19, is provided with a generally rectangular' end or base portion 83 and a cylindrical hub portion 84 adapted to fit snugly in slot 14 and lateral opening 8|, respectively. In similar fashion, lower fixed bearing block 59 is provided at its end with a'lateral opening '85 accommodating a draw nut 86. The latter draw nut, as also shown in Fig. 19, is provided with a generally rectangu lar endorbase portion 8'! and a cylindrical hub portion .88 adapted to fit snugly in slot 16 and lateral opening 85, respectively. An end plate .89 is'secured-to the freeends of'lower fixed bearing 59 and upper fixed bearing block 62, as shown in Fig. 8, by a plurality of bolts. Cy-

6 lindrical hub portion 84 of draw nut 82 is in turn provided with a lateral square-threaded opening 98 into which fits a complementary.

square-threaded draw screw 9|, the other end of which terminates in a shaft extension 92 extending through the bearing 93 of a draw bar 94 secured to upper lateral sliding bearing block 13 by means of a plurality of bolts. In similar fashion, hub portion 88 of draw nut 86 is provided with a lateral square-threaded opening 95 into which fits a complementary square-threaded draw screw 96, the other end of which terminates in a shaft extension 91 extending through the bearing 98 of a draw bar 99 secured to lower lateral sliding bearing block I5 by means of a plurality of bolts.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 19, end plate 89 is provided at its end with slots I88 and I8I. to accommodate draw screws 9| and 96, respectively. 'A squeeze roll adjustment gear I is integrally secured to the free end of shaft extension 92, the hub portion of the gear being in contact with hub 93 of draw bar 94 to make a tight assembly. A complementary squeeeze roll adjustment gear I86 is integrally secured to the free end of shaft extension 91, the hub portion of the gear being in contact with hub 98 of draw bar 99 to make a tight assembly. A squeeze roll adjustment pinion I81 fits in meshed engagement with and between adjustment gears I85 and I86, the pinion being integrally secured to a shaft I88, the inner end of which fits in a sleeve bearing I89 fitted in and secured to the mid-portion of end plate 89. A pair of spaced flanges I I8 and III provide a space in which gears I85 and I86 may turn in meshed engagement with the teeth of pinion I81. The other end of shaft I88 is squared into a gripping portion II2 adapted to fit into a socket crank I I3 (see also Figs. 1 and'2'7).

Taking up endless conveyor 36, which is shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 20 and 21, particularly, it will be seen that a conveyor drive sprocket H5 is secured to power drive shaft 58. An endless drive chain H6 is mounted on sprocket H5, and a sprocket II'I' integrally mounted on a power take-off shaft |I8 (see Figs. 1 and 7) The shaft is in turn mounted in a pair of spaced bearings H9 and I28 attached to a generally horizontal support I 2I by a plurality of bolts (see Fig. '7). The endless conveyor proper comprises a pair of spaced endless sprocket chains I25 and I26 mounted on a pair of sprockets I21 and I28 respectively, integrally secured to shaft H8, and a pair of spaced sprockets I29 and I38 mounted on a shaft I3I, the ends of which are supported in a pair of spaced bearings I32 and I33 secured to horizontal support I21 with a plurality of bolts (see Figs. 20 and 21). A plurality of links I35 extend completely around the endless conveyor, the links being attached at their sides to sprocket chains I25 and I26. A sheet metal guard I36 is riveted to each link to provide a cover over the space between adjacent links (see Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6) Each link is, in addition, provided with a central opening I31 (see Fig. 5) extending through a depending boss I38 under each link. A mandrel support I39 fits in opening I37, the upper end of which is provided with an enlarged boss portion I48 having a vertical opening I4I and a lateral set screw I42. The lower part of the mandrel support is provided with a removable and adjustable collar I43 securable to the support by means of a set screw I44. The construction is so designed that the bottom of boss I48 rests against. the top of link I35 while collar I43 bears upwardlyaagainst. the bottom of boss I38 in order to=assure a tight assembly. Opening MI, in boss I40 is designed to receive a depending extension arm' I45 of a mandrel I43 adapted to fit into the threaded hole of a blank nut I47, a laterally extending base I48 being provided between the mandrel proper and the depending extension arm whichis designed to bear against the top of boss 599. This mandrel is alsoshown in Figs. 10 and 11. Setiscrew I42'may be turned to securejthe depending extension arm securely.

.As shown more particularly in Figs. 20' and'21, 'iongitudinal support i2! is in eflect divided into a front portion I50 and a back portion II which are joinedby a constricted central portion I52 reinforced by a pair of spaced reinforcing members I53 and I54. Front portion I50 has a cutaway portion I55 to accommodate sprockets I29 and I39, and'back portion I5! has a cut-away portion I56 to accommodate sprockets I27 and I 29. Front portion I50 is provided with a pair of slack-takeup devices I70 and I'll adapted to move bearing blocks I32 and I33, respectively, in order to take up slack in endless conveyor 36. A pair of spaced mandrel guides I72 and I73 extend lengthwise across the mid-section of longitudinal support I2I. Guide I72 is fastened to brackets I74 and I75, while guide I73 is fastened to brackets I7 6 and I77. A pair of sprocket chain guards I78 and I 79 similarly extend across longitudinal support I2I and are secured to the same brackets As shown in Fig. 8, constricted central portion I52 of longitudinal support I2i, in other words the section of the support between front portion E50 and back portion I5I, rests in a recess I89 in lower fixed bearing block 53, the recess being somewhat wider than the constricted central portion to permit lateral sliding movement of the latter. An aligning plate iSI extends across the top of constricted portion l 52 as well as front and back portions I50 and l5I directly below mandrel guides I72 and I73. As more particularly shown in Fig. 8, each mandrel support I39 is adapted to move along the top of the aligning plate, thus accurately locating each nut I47 mounted on its mandrel with respect to squeeze rolls 37 and 38. To assist in saddling longitudinal support I2I on lower fixed bearing block 59, front portion I50 of the longitudinal support is provided with a pair of vertically-spaced and laterally-extending pads I82 and I83 adapted to bear against the side of the bearing block. A similar pair of pads I84 and I85 is provided on back portion I5I of the longitudinal support adapted to bear against the other side of the bearing block. A pair of spaced struts 89 and I87 extend from front part I50 to back part I5I of longitudinal support IZI directly below bearing block 59, the struts being provided with a pair of nuts at each threaded end to permit the desired adjustments.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 3, 9, 17 and 18, the apparatus shown includes a nutaligner I90 which comprises a pair of spaced and parallel guide wires WI and I92 extending in the direction of the endless conveyor, wire I 92 extending forward farther than wire I 9 I. The wires are spaced a predetermined distance apart so that when nut I41 mounted on mandrel I99 is passed toward the squeeze rolls and the side of the nut strikes wire I92 and passes between both wires, the wires. function to align opposite sides of the nut in parallel relationship with the wires so that the opposite sides of the nut are presented simultaneously forengagement with the squeeze rolls. The ends of .wire :|9I.-.are secured to a'pair of upportion 207.is secured to front portionzl50 of longitudinal support I2I (see: Figs. 3, 7,9, 17,. 20 and .21,-and particularly Fig. 17). In. similar fashion, a draw nut 2I0 with a generally rectangular end or base portion 2 and a cylindrical hub portion 2 I2 issecured to back'portion' I5I of longitudinal support I2I. Hub portions 207 and 2I2 are provided with squareithreaded lateral openings into which fit complementary square threaded draw screws'2I3 and-2M, respectively. Draw screw 2I3 is mounted in a bearing 2I5 integrally supported by a bracket 2I6 secured to lower fixed bearing block 59, the draw screw being provided with a pair of collars 2I7 and 2I8secured thereto at either side of bearing 215. An endless conveyor adjusting gear 2I9 is mounted at the other end of the draw screw. In similar fashion, draw screw 2M is mounted in a bearing 225 integrally supported by a bracket 225 secured to lower fixed bearing block 59, the draw screw being provided with a pair of collars 227 and 228 secured thereto at either side of bearing 225. An endless conveyor adjusting gear 229 is mounted at the other end of the'draw screw.

Referring to Figs. 8,9, 1'7 and 27, it will be seen that shaft extension 92 of draw screw 9| is keyed to and extends through hub 235 of adjusting gear I05 a convenient distance, the shaft extension being provided with an elongated lateral opening 233 in which an indicator shaft 237 is securely fitted. As socket crank H3 is turned to move upper laterally slidable bearing block 73 and lower laterally slidable bearing block 75, and hence endless conveyor 39, and their related parts, back and forth, indicator shaft 237 also turns. The outer end of indicator shaft 237 extends through a fixed bearing in casingor cover 35. An-indicator pinion 233 is secured to the indicator shaft intermediate hub 235 and cover 35, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of an-indicator gear 239 mounted on a second indicator shaft 240 extending through a bearing secured-incover35, the outer end of shaft 240 being providedwith an indicator hand 2M. In similar fashion, the outer end of first indicator shaft 237 is provided with an indicator hand 242. Referring next to Fig. 28, it will be seen that indicator hand 242 is associated with an outer calibrated scale 243, advantageou'sly sub-divided into thousandths of an inch. As shown, the scale is sub-divided into main graduations of ten thousandths-of an inch, totalling 250 thousandths; in other-words, %-inch. Indicator hand 2M is associated with an inner calibrated counter scale 244 sub-divided as shown into main graduations of 25 units, totalling 150. Movement of larger indicator hand 242 in a clockwise direction from zero all "-theway around the scale back to zero simultaneously moves smaller. indicator hand MI in a counter-clockwise direction one main graduation,--namely, 25 units; that is, 4-inch. A movement of the smaller in dicator hand from 0 too, namely150units, cor,- responds to 1 inches. The object of the arrange:-

ment described is to indicate to the operator the amount ofspace existing between-squeeze rolls 31 and 38 orthe' amount of adjustment to be made in the space between the rolls. The size of pinion I01, gears I05, I06, 2I9 and 229 and their teeth and the size of draw screws 9 I, 96, 2 I3 and 2I4 and their threads are so proportioned and correlated that when crank I I3 is turned, squeeze roll 31 moves laterally twice as far as endless conveyor 36. This permits the centering of each nut I41 midway in space 80 between squeeze rolls 31 and 38.

As stated above in referring to-Fig. l, the apparatus includes a knurling device 39. The object of the knurling device is to provide the deformed nuts, that is the lock nuts, with a suitable marking so that they may be distinguished readily from conventional nuts and to indicate what portion of the nut is deformed. In the present construct on, the knurling device cuts a crisscross pattern of lines in the top of the lock nuts. The device is shown in more detail in Fig. 3, and particularly Figs. 22 to 26, inclusive.- Power takeoff shaft II8. which operates endless conveyor 36, is also used to operate the knurling device. For this purpose, the far end of the shaft is provided with a gear 250 which in turn meshes with a gear 25I mounted on a horizontal jack shaft 252 extending back over and across the endless conveyor. The jack shaft is supported in a pair of spaced bearings 253 and 254, the former bearing being bolted to'a pair of spaced vertical columns 255 and 256 and the latter nearing being bolted to a similar pair of spaced vertical columns 251 and 258, the bases of the columns being bolted to back portion II of horizontal support I2I The other end of the jack shaft is fitted with a sprocket 259 on which is mounted an endless sprocket chain 260, also mountedon a sprocket 26l on a shaft 262 extending laterally back over theendless conveyor. Shaft 262 rests in two split .bearings 263 and 264, with a knurler roll 265 positioned therebetween, the bearings extending horizontally between a pair of vertical columns 266 and 261 near one end and a similar pair of vert cal columns 268 and 269 near the other end, all of the columns being secured at their bottoms to back portion I5I of horirontal support I2I and their upper ends beingthreaded, as shown.

The four upright columns are fitted with three platens, a lower platen 210, a middle platen 2H and an upper platen 212. The upper platen is provided with a rising central, rib section 213 at one end and a similar rising rib section 214 at the other end, these ribbed sections connecting with the centrally'disposed and a wider bearing portion 215. The threaded end of each vertical column 261, 268 and 269 fits in a threaded sleeve 216 extending through the platen, the sleeve in turn being keyed in each case to a sprocket 211, the construction being identica1 for the assembly at the upperend of the three vertical columns. The fourth vertical column 266 is provided with a modified sprocket 218, secured to a'special sleeve 219, the upper end of which terminates in an extension portion 280 adapted to fit into a socket crank. An endless sprocket chain28l is mounted on the four sprockets.

A vertical shaft 285 extends through bearing portion 215 of upper platen 212, the lower end terminating in a head 286 to help hold it in position, the upper port on of the shaft having keyed thereon a pinion 281 meshing laterally with a pair of gears 288 and 289. The upper end of shaft 285 terminates in an extension portion 290 adapted to.

fit asocket crank. Gear 288 is integrally secured to theuppe'r end" of a thrust screw 291 extending guiding surface. Split bearings 263 and 264 are integrally secured to the bottom of lower platen 210 by means of a plurality of stud bolts 299. The lower platen has a cut-away portion 300 through which the upper portion of knurler roll 265 extends. Reinforcing plates 30I are secured at opposite sides to strengthen the platen in the areas adjacent cut-away portion 300.

A plurality of appropriately spaced bolts 305'extend through upper platen 212, middle platen 2H and lower platen 210 and split bearings 263 and- 264 to help support the lower portions of the split bearings. In addition, each bolth is provided with a compression spring 306 between middle platen 2H and lower platen 210. As a result of the arrangement described, shaft 262 and therefore knurling roll 265 are-held in a position to be moved upwardly or downwardly,-as desired. A rough approximation for the operative position of the knurling roll is advantageously first obtained by fitting a socket crank on extension portion 280 and turning it to move sprocket chain 28l around sprockets 211 and 218 and hence to move upper platen 212 up or down, as required. This is done to place thrust screws 29I and'293 in a favorable operative position. When, therefore, a socket crank is fitted onto extension portion 290 of vertical shaft 285, thrust screws 29! and 293 are moved upwardly or downwardly, depending upon the direction of rotation of the socket crank. Ifthrust screws 29I and 293 are forced downwardly against central rib 292 'of middle platen 21I, springs 306 are placed under greater compression, thus forcing lower platen 210 and hence shaft 262 and knurler roll 265 downwardly. 'Inother words, the knurler roll is forced more heavily against the top of deformed nut I41, and succeeding deformed nuts I41. If, however, the pressure 'ofthe knurler roll onthe nut is too much, the operation may be reversed to release the compressive force of spring 306. Minute control of the amount of pressure of the knurling roll on the nut may thus be obtained by the use of the socket crank on extension portion 290.

The apparatus shown'includes special means for withdrawing the deformed nuts from the mandrels as the endless conveyor moves around to its discharge end (see Figs. 1, 7 and 22). For this purpose, the apparatus includes a pair of spaced supports 3H! and 3, the upper ends of which are attached to upright columns 251 and 255, and the lower endsto back portion I51 of horizontal support I2I. A pair of spaced deformed nut strippers 8I2 and 3I3 are'suitably suspended from supports 3 I 0 and 3| I by a plurality of lateral-arms 3 I 4.

These strippers consist of strips,v of thin curved sheet metal, the inner edge portions of the sprockets, the deformed-nuts ride on the strip-r perswa-nd aregraduallyjmovedupwardly tothe top dropped. A-chute 3l'5.-is located at the discharge end... of the endless conveyor, being secured to cover 35,'as shown in Fig;1 l, to catch the nuts and direct them into abin' 3| 6-located under the chute.

In referring .to.Figs'.'..5, -10 and 11, above, brief.

reference is made to. mandrel I46; As more clearly shown in Figs.- 10 and.11,- the mandrel p'roperris dividedflinto a lower cylindrical base portion 325,: adapted .to;fit. loosely, in the lower portion :of blank; nut 141., and an: upper. cylindrical .stop, portion, 326 of predetermined size adapteddto act as aqstopg- (see- Fig. 11) when squeeze rolls 31 and 38-force opposite sides .of the upper portion of the nut toward one another and the upper threads ofthe nut are brought into engagement with the stop portion. A modifled form of mandrel M6. is illustrated in Fig. 12 in=which base portion 3'25 and stop portion 326 are in-the shapeof a frustum of a cone. lncboth constructions, the surfaces are relatively smooth The presently preferred.v construction is .that of Figs. 10 and 11 because the cylindrical base and stop-portions may be-readily machined to ize; I

Lock nut 141 is shown'in hexagonal form with a;v threaded central opening 33!. Theopening at the bottomportion .332 of the blank is circular but at .the upper portion ;333 it is. generallyellipjtica1-,.having a minor axis :334 .and a major axis 335.- The..elliptical. shape of. the opening at the upper portion of the blank-is the result of compressing or squeezing'the upper portions 336 and 331 of opposite sides :of the main body of the blank toward one another. at the top portion to adepth of A; .to A; the nominal diameter ofthe matin screw beyond the elastic limit of the blank to provide a. permanent distortion in the blank with the sides 338 and.339 of the opening on-minor axis .334 pushed toward one another and with the sides 340 and 34! f major axis 335 pushedaway from one anothen The width of the taper the openingalongthe .minor axis is reducedby the :distortion byan amount equalxto the lit tolerance plus-0.001.to 0.010 inch; The amount. of inward-distortion maybe determined by-rneasuring the distance from crest to crest of the first'or upper fu1l thread'in' the opening; Thismay be done-with aver-nier caliperyoina-v taper massage...

In a presently preferred practice of the inven-x tiornthe width of the top of the opening along thexininor axis is...reduced bythe distorti0n by an amount to produce a. friction locking torque ot.j115.D to 820 D on amatingscrew within thegdimensionall tolerances of its class of fit. in whichD equals the nominal diameter ofthe mat-- inglscrew and the result obtainedis pound inches ottorque; This value .mayjjbe readily determined by jsjcrewjingithe lock-nut. on a-matin screw, such as.:.a bolt,: with ..a conventional. torque wrench,

Fig I G illustrates the-use of the lock-nutwhen screwed tightly. onto aibolt 342' to secure the pieces of w'orkw343and 344. When the nut is appliedltothe-bolt it maybe screwed at-least /i--., of th'e way freely'by hand since the lower part ofthe nut is .not distorted. Asthe nut is screwed flirtherontothe bolt, thedistorted upper portion of the nut. tends toassume its original undistorted rormuueto the resiliency ofv the metal wall of m nus.- The bolt threads force the'compressed sidesof the nut apart against thespring action owns. distorted upper portion of the nut. As

indicated i-n-rthe drawing; the threads along the:v inwardly distorteditsides 1.338 and .339 :on minor. axis 334 of-the nut-tightly engage theirmating.

threads on.the bolt. This spring action causes the nut to grip oppositeisides of the-*bolt'and by,

reason of the'amount of thedistortion tomake a strong friction pressure contact "on the top as well- .as on the-bottom of the 'bolt threads. Accordingly, the. nut not only grips the-bolt tightly by creates an additional friction areaon the threads by pressingagainst theupperas-well. as the lower sides ,of: the bolt threads'even .whenthe nut is tightened against the works.

In order that look nuts .made according to the invention be of general utility; it is highly desirable that they be adapted to receive standard socket wrenches and box end wrenches, as well as open endwrenches In distorting the nut, its outsidedimensionmeasured at right angles to the direction in. which it-issqueezed-is increased slightly. In other-. words; the. distance across the nut is decreased alongminor axis 334 and increased. alongmajor axis335. This increased outside dimension along the major axis maybe too great topermit placing a. standard socket wrench or boxtend wrenchiof nominal. size over the nut. It -is therefore desirable to make the nut blanks in,v for example, hexagonal form, somewhat smaller incross -sectionthan the its major .axis,-.the.nut may nevertheless fit intothewrench,

Someimport'ant advantages of. the lock nut of:

the invention areits ease of manufacture; its ease of application; it may be tightened without damaging its .ownor its mating threads; .it. may be removed from a b'oltswithout excessive -.difficulty; and it maybe: usedfagain and again on the .same bolt .or on a difierent bolt; In addition, thelock nut locksitselt to a bolt by a clamping actionstrong enoughto resist loosening under severe vibration or repeated heavy shocks.

The application just describedimay be operated as follows: U

Crank I I3 is turned clockwise or counter-clock wise, as required, to adjust. thewidthofspaceBO between squeezerrolls' 3'! and-38 =to-accommodate the particular size of .nu'tblanke l te be deformed. .In Fig. 17, for example, the nut is .rela tively small while in. Fig Sit is relativelyjarg operation. of .crank. ll3 simultaneously adjustsv the space between. parallel guide wires..-|a| and:

l92.. Motor l! is started whichlin turn setsv are so. proportioned andcorrelated that the-end:

lessconveyor, squeeze rolls; and knurler move at substantially the same-Iiriearspeed. A nut blank. M1 is mounted onthe. free end ofeach mandrel I 46- as it. approaches: the-parallelguide-wiresand the squeeze rolls; If. a corneror'corner portion of the nut strikes guide= wire I92, .the nut'is turned onthe mandrel to align a pair of its opposite sides in parallel relationshipavith the guide wires. This relationship is maintained as the nut moves forward into additional sliding-contact with guide wire 13L. Thisoperation; assures proper presentationof the nut. to the squeeze rolls;

The squeeze rolls and'themut 'on'zthe mandrel:

are so positioned that onlywthe upper. .IJOItiOII'Of the nut comes into squeezing tienga 'em'ent :with

therolls, the depth .of squeeze; as pointed rout above, ,being to thenominaldiameter'of the "mating screw; Since both: squeeze rollsfiare' power driven, the upper portion of the nut isreadily gripped by the rolls and deformed as it passes between them. The thrust of the rolls is directly toward one another so that little or no resultant force extends downwardly toward laterally extending base I48 of the mandrel.

Crank H3 is suitably turned to provide space 80 between the squeeze rolls with the necessary width to deform the upper portion of the nut the requisite amount; upper portion 326 of the mandrel acting as a stop against excessive deformation while at the same time assuring each succeeding nut of an equivalent amount of deformation, falling within the limits above mentioned. In practice, nuts as they come from the squeeze rolls are measured to determine whether the width of the top of the opening along the minor axis is reduced by the distortion by an amount equal to the fit tolerance plus 0.001 to 0.010 inch. They are preferably tested with a torque Wrench to determine whether the width of the top of the opening along the minor aXis is reduced by the distortion by an amount to produce a friction locking torque of 115 D to 820 D on a mating screw within the dimension tolerance of its class of fit; in which, as previously pointed out, D equals the nominal diameter of the mating screw and the result obtained is pound inches of torque. An intermediate optimum value is selected and crank I I3 is turned this way or that until the distorted nuts coming from the squeeze rolls match that value. Such checks and adjustments, if necessary, are made from time to time during the course of a day's operation of the apparatus to make certain that the lock nuts produced are substantially uniform in their friction locking torque.

Although provision is made for knurling the top of each lock nut as it leaves the squeeze rolls, this is a convenience rather than a necessity. Furthermore, the nut blank could be knurled before it enters the squeeze rolls, or for that matter, before it is mounted on its mandrel. Among important advantages of the practice disclosed are the following: The knurled top at once identifies the nut as a lock nut. Second, it indicates to the user that the knurling is adjacent the upper or distorted portion of the nut and that the unknurled bottom should be presented to a mating bolt to assure easy screwing of the nut at least until the first threads of the bolt come into inter- :iering or locking engagement with the distorted threads of the lock nut. In addition, a distinctive knurling design may be employed to identify the manufacturers particular brand of lock nut.

In any event, as a given mandrel and nut are carried as a unit by the conveyor between the squeeze rolls, they pass under and in contact with knurling r-oll 265. As pointed out above in sufficientdetail, various parts of the knurling device may be manipulated to vary the pressure of the roll on the top of the nut to assure the desired marking.

The conveyor then carries each succeeding knurled lock nut while still mounted on its mandrel to strippers 3l2 and 3l3 where the nuts are forcibly removed, dropped first into chute 3I5 and then into bin 316.

It will be clear to those skilled in this art that the specific method and apparatus just described may be suitably varied while still falling within the purview of the invention. In my co-pending applications Serial Nos. 621,272 and 621,273, filed October 9. 1945, I have disclosed the same apparatus as disclosed herein. However, in my application Serial No. 621,272, I have claimed a combination of mechanisms including a device arranged to knurl the top of the nut while it is on the mandrel which is usedfor limiting the distortion of the nut by the compressing operation; while in my application Serial No. 621,273, I have claimed a method of compressing the upper portion of the nut and knurling the top of the nut, which method may be practiced expeditiously by the apparatus here disclosed.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for manufacturing lock-nuts, the improvement comprising a pair of spaced and opposed compression members adapted to force opposite sides of a blank nut toward one another in the space between the compression members, an endless conveyor for the nuts associated with the compression members, the conveyor being formed of a pair of spaced endless chains mounted on two pairs of spaced sprockets, a plurality of spaced mandrel-carrying links between and secured to the endless chains, and a plurality of spaced mandrels mounted 'on the links of the conveyor with the line of travel of the mandrels passing through the space between the two compression members, each mandrel being adapted to receive a blank nut so that each nut may be positioned between the compression members as its mandrel is moved between the compression members by the conveyor.

2. In apparatus for manufacturing lock-nuts, the improvement comprising a pair of spaced and opposed compression members adapted to force opposite sides of a blank nut toward one another in the space between the compression members, one of the members being movable laterally with respect to the other member so as to permit variation in the size of the space between the two compression members, a conveyor for the nuts associated with the compression members, a plurality of spaced mandrels mounted on the conveyor with the line of travel of the mandrels passing through the space between the two compression members, each mandrel being adapted to receive a blank nut so that each nut may be positioned between the compression members as its mandrel is moved between the compression members by the conveyor, and adjusting means associated with the conveyor for moving the conveyor and the mandrels as a unit and hence the line of travel of the mandrels'laterally toward or away from the other compression member.

3. In apparatus for manufacturing lock-nuts, the improvement comprising a pair of spaced and opposed compression members adapted to force opposite sides of a blank nut toward one another in the space between the compression members, one of the members being movable laterally with respect to the other member so as to permit variation in the size of the space between the two compression members,'a conveyor for the nuts associated with the compression members, the conveyor being mounted on a laterally movable frame carried by a fixed support, a plurality of spaced mandrels mounted on the conveyor with the line of travel of the mandrels passing through the space between the two compression members, each mandrel being adapted to receive a blank nut so that each nut may be positioned between the compression members as its mandrel is moved between the compression members by the con veyor, and adjusting means associated with the movable frame and the fixed support for moving the frame and hence the conveyor and the mandrels asv a unit and hence the line of travel of the mandrels laterally toward or away fromthe other compression member;

- laterally toward or away from the other compres sion member to vary the space between them and hence to accommodate nuts of various sizes as well as to vary the amount of compressive force ap-piied to the sides of the nuts, a conveyor for the nuts associated with the compression members, the conveyor being mounted on a laterally movable frame carried by the fixed support, a plurality of spaced mandrels mounted on the conveyor with the line of travel of the mandrels passing through the space between the two compression members, each mandrel beingadapted to receive a blank nut so that each nut may be positioned between the compression members as its mandrel is moved between the compression members by the conveyor, and adjusting means associated with the movable frame and .the fixed support for moving the frame and hence the conveyor and the mandrels as a unit and hence the line of travel of the mandrels laterally toward or away from each compression member.

5 Apparatus according to the preceding claim,

in which the adjustment means for moving the movable compression member laterally toward or away from the other compression memberand the adjustment means for moving the conveyor laterally are coupledso that the movable compression member and the conveyor may be moved simultaneously in the same direction.

6. In apparatus for manufacturing lock-nuts, the improvement comprising a pair of spaced and opposed squeeze rolls adapted to squeeze opposite sides of a blank nut toward one another in the space between the squeeze rolls, an endless con Veyor for the nuts associated with the squeeze rolls, the conveyor being formed of a pair of spaced endless chains mounted on two pairs of spaced sprockets, a plurality of spaced mandrel-carrying links between and secured to the endless chains, and a plurality of spaced mandrels mounted on the links of the conveyor with the line of travel of the mandrels passing through the space between the two squeeze rolls, each mandrel being adapted to receive a blank nut so that each nut may be positioned between the compression members as its mandrel is moved between the rolls by the conveyor.

'7. In apparatus for manufacturing lock-nuts, the improvement comprising a pair of spaced and op osed squeeze rolls adapted to squeeze opposite sides of a blank nut toward one another in the space between the squeeze rolls, one of the rolls being movable laterally with respect to the other roll so as to permit variation in the size of the space between the two squeeze rolls, a conveyor forthe nuts associated with the squeeze rolls, a plurality of spaced mandrels mountedon the conveyor with the line of travel of the mandrels passing'through the space betwe'enthe two squeeze 'rolls, each mandrel being adapted to receive a blank nut so that each nut may be positioned between the squeeze rolls as its mandrel is moved between the squeeze rolls by the conveyor, and

1'6 adjusting means associated. with the'conveyorfor moving the conveyor and the mandrels as a'unit andlhencethe line :of travel of the mandrels lat= orally toward or'away from the other squeeze roll.

8. In'apparatus for'manufacturing lock-nuts, the improvement comprising a pair of spaced and opposed squeeze rolls'adapted to squeeze opposite sides of a blank nut toward one another in the space :between the squeeze rolls, oneof' the rolls being: movable laterally with respect to the other roll so as to permit variation in the size of the space between the two squeezerolls, a conveyor forthe nuts associated with the squeeze rolls, the conveyor being mounted on a laterally movable frame carried by a fixed support, a plurality of spaced mandrels mounted on the conveyor with the line of travel of the mandrels passin through the space between the two squeeze rolls, each mandrel being adapted to receive a blank nut so that each nut may be positioned between the squeeze rolls as its mandrel is moved between the rolls-by the conveyor, and adjusting meansasso ciated with the movable frame and thefixed sup port for moving'the frame and hence the conveyor andthe mandrels as a unit and hence the line of travel'of the mandrels laterally. toward or away from the other squeeze roll.

9; In apparatus for manufacturing lock-nuts, the improvement comprising a pair of spaced and opposed squeeze rolls adapted to squeeze opposite sidespf :a 'blankanut toward one another in'the spacebetween the squeeze rolls, one of the rolls beingmovable laterally with respect to the other roll, said'latter rollbeing carried by'a'fixed support, adjustingimeans associated with the movable squeeze roll and thefixed support for moving the roll laterally toward or away from .the other squeeze roll'to' vary the space-between them and hence to-taccommodate'nutsof various sizes as well as to vary the amount of compressive force applied to the sides of the nuts, a conveyor for thenuts 'as'sociated'with the squeeze rolls, the conveyor being mounted on a laterally movable frame carriedby the fixed support, a plurality of spaced mandrels mounted on the conveyor with the line-of travel of the mandrels passing through the space between the two squeeze rolls, each mandrel being adapted to receive a blank nut so that. each nut'may be positioned between the squeeze roll as its mandrel is moved between the squeeze rolls by'the conveyor, and adjusting means associated with the movable frame .and the fixed support formovin the frame and hence the com veyor and'the mandrels as a unit and hence the line of travel of the mandrels laterally toward or away from the other squeeze roll.

10. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, in which the adjustment means for moving the movable squeeze roll laterally toward or away from the other squeeze roll and'the adjustment means for moving'the Jconveyor laterally are coupled so that the movable squeeze roll and the conveyor may bemoved simultaneously in the same direction.

11. In apparatus for manufacturing lock-nuts, the improvement comprising a pair of spaced and opposed squeeze rolls adapted to'squeeze opposite sides of a blank nut toward one another in the space between the squeeze rolls, the first roll being integrally mounted on a'shaft intermediate its ends with the shaft supported in stationary bearings, the second roll being integrally mounted on a shaft intermediate its ends with the shaft supported in movable bearings. meansfor. moving the second roll. and its shaft and movablebea-n has as a n t la e y dward e sitar arm he first e t o va nsan bet ee t tw*""rc1 s aconv eyor for the nuts associated with the squeeze rolls, a plurality "or snacedmandr'els mounted on the conveyor with theline oi travel of the mandrels passing through the space betweenthetwo squeeze rolls. each mandrel beingadapted to r ceive a blank nut so that eachil ut' may'be o a tio'ned between the squeeze'roils as'its mandrel is moved between the squeeze rolls by theme: v yon'anq adjusting means associated wit t conveyor for moving'the conveyor and'the n; d'r'els as a unit and hence the line of travel oi'the mandrels laterally towardor away from the first squeeze roll. 12. In apparatus for manufacturing lock-nuts, the. e ent compris ng a pair of spaced and opposed squeeze rollsfadapted to squeeze opposite sides of a blank nut towardone another, ihthe space between the squeefze rolls, theflrst roll being integrally mounted. on a shaft intermediate its ends with the shaft supported in stationary be ings, the second roll being integrally mounted on a'shait intermediate its ends with the shaft supported in movable bearings, means for moving the second roll and its shaft and movable bearings as a unit laterally toward or away from the first roll to vary the space between the two rolls, a conveyor for the nuts associated. with the squeeze ijolls, the conveyor being mounted on a laterally movable frame, carried by a fixedsuppbrt,a plu i'lality' of spaced mandrels "mounte.d on the con- YEYor with'the line of travel of the mandrels passing through the space between the two squeeze l'olls, each mandrel beingadaptd to receive a blank nut so that each nut maybe positioned between the squeeze rolls asits mandrel is moved between the rolls by the conveyor,"and adjusting means associated with the movablefrjame and. the

fixed support for moving the frame and hence conveyor and the mandrels as a unit and. hence the line'of travel of thernandrels laterally or away from the first squeeze i 11."

13. In apparatus for nanuiacturing lock-nuts, the improvement comp-rising apair ofspaced and sides of a blank nut toward oneandther in the space between the squeeze rolls, the'firfs't rfoll being integrally mounted on a shaft'inte mediate its endswith the shaft supportedin stationarylbearings, the second roll being integrally mounted on a shaft intermediate its ends with the shaft supported in movable bearings carried in turn bya ijxed support, one end of the shaft sites first ou being connectible witha source of power to rotate the same the other endof the shaft h'eing provided with a spur gear,one end of the shaft of the second roll beingprovided with aspur gear in mesh withthe other spur gear so that power can be passed by the shaft of thefirst roll to the shaft of the second 1 911 through t e spur gears, adjusting means for moving the secondroll together with its shaft, spur gear ar d movahle bearings as a unit laterally toward or away from the first roll to .vary the spacebetween the rolls and hence to accommodate nuts of various sizes as well as to vary the am'ountof compressive force applied to the sides of the nuts, a conveyor'ror the nuts associated with the squeeze rolls, the conyeyor being mounted'o'n a laterally movable frame carried by the fixed support, a plurality of spaced mandrels mounted on the conveyor with the line of travel of the mandrels passing through the space between the two squeeze rolls, each mandrel being adapted to receive a blank nut so opposed squeeze rolls adapted to squeeze opposite being integrally se' red to one of the roll gears,

th t, each nu may b s oned w e e, squeeze roll as" its mandrel is moved between the squeeze rolls by the conveyor, and adjusting means associated with the movable frameand the fixed support for moving the frame and hence the convyor and the mandrels as a unit and hence the line of travel of the mandrel-s laterally toward or away from the first squeeze roll.

" 14. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, in which'the adjusting means for moving the second squeeze roll'la'terally toward or away from the first squeeze roll and the adjusting means for moving the conveyorlaterally are coupled so that the second squeeze roll and the conveyor may be irioved simultaneously in the same direction.

'15. pp aratus according to claim 13, in which the adjusting means for moving the second squeeze roll laterally toward or away from the first squeeze roll comprises a pair of draw screws, a pair of gears, one end of eaehdraw screw being secured to one of the movable bearings and the other end o; each draw screw being integrally secured to o e of the gears, a pinion between and in mesh the pair'of gears, and means associated with the pinion for causing its rotation and hence the rotation of the gears and draw screws to move the movable b arings and thereby move the second squeeze roll.

16, Apparatus according to claim 13, in which the adjusting means for moving the conveyor .liiPGrally comprises a'pai'r of draw screws, a pair Di e s Qn 'end. of cash w s rew in eo'llied to the movable irarne and the other end at eac r w ei'ew'bei a re l secured one of the ears andi ieans ss e e W he rs fo cau n their rota and hen r t'i n of'the drawsorew to move the movable flame and thereby move the conveyor.

" 1,7. Apparatus according to claim 13, in which the adjusting means for moving the second squeeze roll laterally toward or away from the first squeeze roll comprises a pair of roll draw screws, a pair of roll gears, one end of each roll draw screw being secured to one of the movable bearings and the other end of each roll draw screw a pinion between and'in mesh with the pair oi roll gears; and in which the adjusting means for in e tne conveyor a era l comprises a P of conveyor draw screws, 2 pair of conveyor gears in mesh with one of the roll gears, one end of each conveyor draw screw being secured to the movable frame and the other end of each conygey dr c ew be ng inte ra ly secured o One of the conveyor'gears; and means associated with thelpinion for causing its rotation and hence the rotation of all of the gears and of all of the draw screws simultaneously to move the second squeeze roll and the conveyor laterally in the same direction.

opposed squeeze 'roll's adapted to squeeze opposite sides of a blank nut toward one another in the space between the rolls, and means for moving one of the rolls laterally toward or away from the other roll to vary the space between them and hence to accommodate nuts of various sizes as well as to vary the Qaniount of compressive force app-lied to the sides or the nut.

l9. In apparatus vforrnanufacturing lock-nuts,

- the improve n compri in a a r of space an' wh -d nee e an ade iedtw's ul e a pos t sides of blank'nutstowardone'another in the space between the rolls, one of the rolls being 

